According to Wildland Fire.com, the fire is at 600 acres as of 2:30 a.m. The fire is burning in all directions, structures are threatened and people are trapped. One commenter, these are usually firefighters listening to fire channels, “Manditory evacs along Tomki Road. West Road from Tomki to Hwy 101.”

Reporters at the Mendocino Voice have let us know they can see flames in the distance but their internet is down.

UPDATE 2:50 a.m.: Caltrans is requesting that Hwy 101 be shut down south of the Willits Bypass.

UPDATE 3:06 a.m.: According to the scanner, The fire in Potter Valley is moving west, towards Redwood valley, along Redwood Drive.

UPDATE 3:09 a.m.: The Mendocino Sheriff tweeted in the last five minutes, “Fires in Mendocino Co. – In Redwood Valley, School Way from Hwy 101 has been closed. Currently under EVACUATION ORDER: East Rd & West Rd…ALSO UNDER EVACUATION ORDER: Tomki Rd to Canyon Rd in Willits, Golden Rule subd, Reeves Canyon.”

UPDATE 3:23 a.m.: Anyone evacuating with animals can take them to the Ukiah Fairgrounds and go to the Main entrance, according to information over the scanner.

UPDATE 3:33 a.m.: Report came over the scanner that 7 houses are burning on J Road.UPDATE 3:41 a.m.: According to a report over the scanner, “We’re done on West Road. Everyone has to get out.” Evacuations from Mohawk south on West Road, according to a firefighter on the scanner.UPDATE 3:45 a.m.: There are multiple reports of structures burning.UPDATE 3:46 a.m.: The Mendocino Sheriff’s Department tweeted two minutes ago that shelters are open for fire evacuees. Those south of fire go to Ukiah High School. Those north of the fire go to Willits Community Center.

UPDATE 3:51 a.m.: Roads L and K are being evacuated, according to the scanner.

UPDATE 4:26 a.m.: According to the scanner, one home on Redwood Drive is beginning to catch fire.

UPDATE 4:32 a.m.: The Mendocino Sheriff’s Department just posted on Facebook, “Highway 101 is closed from Uva Drive North to Ridgewood Grade. All Redwood Valley south of School Way Circle to Highway 20 and east to Horshoe Circle is under EVACUATION WARNING. An evacuation warning means you need to be ready to move out at a moment’s notice – prepare animals, important papers, medicines & other necessities.”

UPDATE 5:01 a.m.: PG&E is cutting power from School Way north.

According to a witness along Road E, Michael Godinez, “It sounds like a jet engine out here.” He sent the photo below.

Fire at Road E just before 5 a.m. [Photo by Michael Godinez]

UPDATE 5:02 a.m.: The National Weather Service tweeted this gif showing the fire growing.

Here's a loop from Goes-16, showing rapid fire development in Mendocino County, and surrounding areas. Brighter colors=hotter surface temps. pic.twitter.com/YCYd4xWi1t

a woman from the ukiah news paper just stopped here at the top of lake mendocino to let us know a bunch of people are informally meeting at Taylor’s taverns as well so if looking for locals that’s one to add.

The winds have been horrible and erratic. We are a little south of mandatory evac area in Redwood Valley but are packing our dogs and imp papers into Ukiah. All it takes is a huge gust of wind in any direction and everybody is screwed.

If there is reason at any point to believe that the Milo Sanctuary needs to begin evacuation plans, PLEASE contact them at sanctuary@milofoundation.org or call 707-459-4900. The property borders the junction of Tomki and Canyon in Willits at Scott’s creek all the way up over the hill to Hearst Rd. As of right now they have been told by the hotline that evacuations are only necessary in Redwood Valley even though Canyon and Tomki in Willits was mentioned as evac in one of the tweets. They have nearly 200 animals spread out on the property and will need time to get everyone to safety if need be, an immediate mandatory evacuation notice would not provide enough time to do so. If anyone gets more info than is updated in posts above please share the info with Milo ASAP. Thank you!

My Dad is in Willis he just moved there I don’t even know what road he lives and I’m trapped in a hospital if anyone knows my dad and his wife please please someone makes sure he’s ok he can’t see well rite now has surgery comeing up to fix..Bill Duke is his name and wife merrinee I’m going to continue try reaching him.. in Sacramento hospital Im very worried very stressed…